moonwalk local clads wine cellar in france with bat shelter wooden facade

architecture & design collective moonwalk local has adorned a contemporary wine cellar in france with a wooden facade that also serves as a bat shelter. installed within the thickness of the structure, the 11 bat nesting boxes offer accommodation to the local fauna species that are conducive to the cellar’s development.

all images courtesy of moonwalk local

although seen as scary by many, bats can help immensely when it comes to vineyards, as they help regulate insect and butterfly populations. moonwalk local has embedded the 11 chambers within the cladding, providing the mammals with their ideal living conditions: darkness, warmth, and height to protect themselves from predators.

the dark wooden facade is inspired by local agricultural buildings (wood-clad sheds, tobacco dryers protected with tar or used oil, etc.) and is set back to make way for the existing local patrimony. in addition, the designers have implemented the japanese technique of ‘shou sugi ban’ burned wood which allows for unobstructed, harmonious aging of the wood, by generating a rot-proof protective layer.

project info:

name: bat wine cellar
architecture office: moonwalk local collectif d’architectes

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